A foreign man described by shopkeepers as appearing to be Indian is alleged to have targeted multiple stores in Phuket using a change-exchange deception. The suspect reportedly purchased a bottle of water priced at 10 baht and paid with a 1,000-baht banknote, before creating confusion during the transaction. According to accounts from affected vendors, he then manipulated the situation to retrieve or conceal the note, leading to unnecessary extra change being handed over.

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He is said to have moved between different shops, repeating a similar pattern of behaviour involving distraction, requests to change items and verbal confusion. In one case, CCTV footage reportedly showed him engaging staff while attempting to hide the banknote and then acting as if payment had already been completed. Several shop owners later discovered discrepancies in their cash drawers and missing 1,000-baht notes after his visits. Posts shared among local businesses suggest multiple establishments may have been affected, indicating a repeated method rather than an isolated incident.

Shopkeepers have warned others in the area to be vigilant when handling large cash note transactions involving small purchases. They have also urged anyone affected to report incidents to the police, noting that individual losses may appear minor but could accumulate significantly across multiple cases. The alleged pattern has prompted concern among small business owners who rely on daily cash turnover.

Authorities are expected to review CCTV footage and any related complaints to determine the suspect’s movements and whether further action can be taken. Businesses are being encouraged to strengthen cash-handling procedures to reduce the risk of similar scams. Investigations remain ongoing as more potential victims come forward.

Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Phuketinsta 5 May 2026

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Anybody trying to give over a 1000 baht note for a bottle of water needs a slap on the head!

Indians, more frugal than the Jews,

Witnessed an Indian at a McDonalds eat a full meal than demand his money back as he claimed it wasn;t up to standards,

His scam may have worked somewhere else but the Thai counter person wasn't having it,

the Indian tried wearing hin down arrguing for 20 minutes until the Thai guy came over the counter and bum rushed him out,

It's the small things that give me hope for humanity 😑

Those tricky Indians TIT

Just now, TheFishman1 said:

Those tricky Indians TIT

Come on, the Indians are just trying to recover their losses from all those gold chain thefts...lol

Just now, Jonathan Swift said:

Just now, jacko45k said:

Anybody trying to give over a 1000 baht note for a bottle of water needs a slap on the head!

Just now, jacko45k said:

Anybody trying to give over a 1000 baht note for a bottle of water needs a slap on the head!

Come slap me. I do it when I need change at a 7-11 or some other merchant, same as a lot of people. ATMs pay out in 1000s. people either only have 1000s or they need change. Duh. Something wrong with your brain there sonny?

Just now, Jonathan Swift said:

Come slap me. I do it when I need change at a 7-11 or some other merchant, same as a lot of people. ATMs pay out in 1000s. people either only have 1000s or they need change. Duh. Something wrong with your brain there sonny?

ATM's can pay out 1,000, 500, and 100 baht bills.

Just now, tweedledee2 said:

ATM's can pay out 1,000, 500, and 100 baht bills.

Oh, gosh, really? So, whoosh, the sound of a legitimate point flying over your head while you split hairs just to be a wiseass. But do keep reading, and at least TRYING to think, you may actually prevent your IQ from sinking any more.

Just now, redwood1 said:

Come on, the Indians are just trying to recover their losses from all those gold chain thefts...lol

Steady on here- are we suggesting that our Indian friends would ever do anything illegal?

Surely not

57 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Come slap me. I do it when I need change at a 7-11 or some other merchant, same as a lot of people. ATMs pay out in 1000s. people either only have 1000s or they need change. Duh. Something wrong with your brain there sonny?

Handing over 1000 for a 3 number purchase......OK

For the smallest 2 number purchase in the shop you are taking the the piss or, like this guy, working some sort of scam........maybe passing a counterfeit.

That how I would have "tret" you if you had handed over £20 for a 20p purchase in the shop i worked in.

I would have told you that we didn't have enough change to hand so much of it over to a single customer for such a small purchase.

**** you and your "custom".

Edited May 5May 5 by Enoon

Cheap-Charlie Indians... now there's a suprise. Odd that he didn't share the scam with other Indian guys because sharing is good.... like with beer and tag-teaming women etc.

12 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

ATMs pay out in 1000s.

Nonsense, they have 500s and 100s in them too. I might specifically get the odd 900 on top of the 1000s at the ATMs. I always seem to have plenty coins in my pocket for a bottle of water. Every now and again I come across a machine that has run out of 1000s and gives out 500s which is very useful.

Edited May 6May 6 by jacko45k